Pest Command.com

Some folks think just because its getting cold and winter is around the corner that there is no need to worry about pests. Granted most of them have died off or left the area in search of warmer weather. But there are some that stick around and can become a problem if left unchecked. Here are a few that you might encounter during the winter time.

Indian Meal (or Flour) Moths:
They can enter the home through infested grains, and other dried foods that you bring home. Here are some of the more commonly infested foods most people have in their home:
Birdseed
Oatmeal
Cereals
Pet food
Flour
Snack foods (chips, crackers, cookies etc)

If found in the home they are relatively easy to control without pesticides. Simply find the source of the infestation (box of cereal, bag of flour, sack of pet food)
To prevent future infestations, store dried foods in airtight containers or zip lock bags.  Foods that are not going to be eaten immediately can be refrigerated.

Cockroaches:
Ok if you happen to find live or dead roaches in your house the most important thing you need to do is try and identify which kind of roach it is. Why is it important you might ask, well some roach species are harmless while others can be a major problem.  To keep them from becoming a problem, keep stored cardboard to a minimum,  think twice about bringing in used furniture, TVs, and other appliances into your home. These are places roaches love to live/hide, and without thinking you can bring a big problem into your home. As well as seal all access points to your home, like around doors, windows and under sinks. Roach baits can be used in winter just like they can in summer.

Rodents (mice/rats):
Mice, in particular house mice are problem to many households. They usually enter the  house when the weather gets cooler. These pests are the reason for sealing entry to you house because they can enter through cracks and holes as small as a dime.
You can tell if you have a rodent problem when you begin seeing droppings (rodent poop) and gnaw marks or perhaps the uninvited guest himself. Because rodents have been linked to health problems, any sign of an infestation should be dealt with as soon as possible.  If you notice you do in fact have a problem the first order of business is to figure out how they got into the home. Once found seal the entry point from other rodents seeking to visit. If you find a rodents nest you will need to remove it. Since some rodents have been linked to the Hantavirus you will need to take steps to try and safely remove the nest without stirring up the material and dust. By spraying the area with a bleach solution and wearing gloves place the nest into a plastic bag and tie it off before placing it in the trash. Once this has been done, there are a number of different types of traps you can purchase to help eliminate your rodents.

These are just a few pests that you may encounter during the cold winter months. Pests will always be here so we need to be vigilant all year round.